QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 1 | February | 2024

PRESIDENT’S PITCH
Amy Christensen - President

Dear HYSA Members,

I am happy to be writing my first letter to the membership since I became President of the HYSA Board last September.  The club is experiencing a time of change and growth, which I hope will create opportunities for us to continue to improve our programs for HYSA players and families.  As part of that growth, we sent out a membership survey to solicit feedback about our communication to you and ways we can improve.  We have incorporated your feedback in our planning for the coming year.  This newsletter is one part of an overall effort to improve our communication to you.

Several members who participated in the membership survey had questions about the  2024 Spring program registration fees, which increased per player to $520 for Arsenal, $265 for Academy, $110 for HYSL, and $70 for Micro.  The increase was necessary due to greater operating costs caused by inflation, but it was also approved so that we could expand our staff to include Directors of Coaching and Academy.  These focused Directors will advance the development of our players throughout our programs.  The club has already seen the benefits through the launching of an indoor program, a club play day in the fall, and re-tooled team assessments, to name a few of the initiatives.

We recognize that the cost increase, especially combined with the need to purchase new Arsenal uniforms this year, may create financial strain for families.  Kids should be able to play soccer, regardless of financial status.  If the increased costs will impact whether your child can play, we want to try to help.  Please email our Executive Director regarding any need for Financial Assistance and find more information about Financial Aid HERE .

Another issue we are tackling is the need for more active volunteers within the club.  Many of you already serve as coaches, managers, referees, and in other roles - and your service is very much appreciated.  We are hoping to recruit more of you, especially because HYSA will be hosting two state tournaments this spring.   We are asking each Academy and Arsenal team to list two adults to help the tournament committee members as field marshals, set-up or clean-up crew, and many other tasks. Volunteers will be able to choose the time and tasks that best work for them.  Please keep an eye out for further information about these opportunities.

Thanks again to those who participated in the membership survey and to those who have otherwise provided feedback on what HYSA does well and on ways we can improve.  I am excited about the new opportunities ahead and look forward to seeing you on the pitch this spring!

For more information visit our Policies Page

Play Fair, Be Respectful, Have Fun!

Amy Christensen

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER
Phil McGovern - Executive Director

Family Involvement

Our families are involved with their players in this great game of soccer. Many of you are coaches or team parents in our HYSL, and you are coaches, managers, and referees.

Let's all remember why we are out on the pitch, playing, coaching, or watching; for the fun it creates and the positive development that happens from participating.

Please check out our Academy Director Greg Bibeau’s article and link to a talk by John O’Sullivan, who has been working to make soccer and every sport a more enjoyable experience for all involved.

If you know of sponsors our teams or club would benefit from, or you would like to be included in working to make our club the best in Montana, please reach out to me, and I will put you in touch with our talented board and committee members.

Our Fields and Complex

We are working on fields and preparing them for our season of Arsenal, Arsenal Academy and HYSL/Micro.

The fields took damage last spring, and some areas took damage this spring, which occurs when melting occurs without the ground being thawed and able to absorb the water. When that can’t happen, the water pools or “ponds” on fields and returns to ice at night, which is not good for our Kentucky Blue Grass.

So bear with us as we make repairs putting sod in some areas and waiting until summer to shut down fields.

Areas have already been seeded, so April showers, except during practices and games, will be welcome!

We are working on roadways and fencing, as our twenty-year-old fence posts are starting to topple. Potholes are always a challenge this time of year; please exercise caution when driving for the safety of our players, families, and your vehicle as we work to fill in the holes.

Calendar

Our competitive seasons for our Premier, Select, and Academy teams kick off on April 6th, with our U10 & U9 teams starting the weekend next.

HYSL starts playing games on April 7th.

We are hosting two of the three state tournaments this year.

The Montana Cup comes to town June 7-9, and we can certainly use your help as volunteers to assist us in set up, clean up, and field marshaling. 

And then, just as we are taking a breather, the Montana Showcased is the weekend of June 15-16.

These tournaments benefit our entire club, helping to keep fees down for all programs.

Fan Gear Store

We have expanded the store to include more options for our HYSL players; our Fan Gear.

See below for infomation.

Get Involved

Our competitive games on Saturdays can always use Field Marshals; if you know folks who like to walk and have a positive outlook on sports, please send them my way!

Referees

Referee numbers are at all-time lows around the country in all sports.  

We need them here too! 

If interested, contact our Referee Assignor at hln.ref.assignor@gmail.com for information on becoming a referee.

Financial Aid

We want all youth to play regardless of circumstances.  Contact me for a confidential meeting to discuss how we can help.

Play Fair, Be Respectful, Have Fun!

Pete

ACADEMY CORNER
Greg Bibeau - Academy Director

Academy Fields Ten Teams for the Spring 2024

Academy Director Greg Bibeau is working with his group of Academy Coaches, most of whom are running two teams, to ensure technical skills are taught to our youngest competitors.

This Spring, more than in recent years, we had a robust turnout of boys to play Academy.

We have had a sizable increase in birth year 2015 (U9) for the boys, and coaches are working to get them placed and ready for Academy friendlies with other clubs throughout the state.

Both our U11 and U10 girls have two teams competing this spring.

Information will be sent out to all Academy players who need uniforms in mid-February.

HYSL CORNER
Caitlin Rivers - HYSL & Micro Director

HYSL Kickoff

Caitlin Rivers, our HYSL & Micro Director, is watching registrations and preparing teams for the Spring 2024 season with the majority of our teams carrying over from the Fall.  Season Numbers can increase in the Spring, and she will set up more teams to accommodate players.

HYSL promotes Fun, Friends, and Fantastic soccer. Helena Youth Soccer League is our recreational soccer league for kindergarten - 8th graders. Registration is $110.00, including a Major League Soccer-type uniform jersey and socks. One uniform is provided per school year. Extras can be purchased from Play on Soccer.

There is NO late registration, as this causes delays in team formation and delays our coaches getting started with practicing.

The schedule is subject to change.

All coaches must complete background checks, Concussion awareness training, and SafeSport webinars.

For information, contact Caitlin at hyslmicro@helenasoccer.org  or 406-431-3270.

REFEREE’S SIGNALS
Justin Harcrow - Montana SRA/SYRA

On-Line Course and Helena Area In-Person Session for New Referees

  • On-Line Course: start now in preparation for In Person Session

  • In Person Session: Salvation Army Gym Sunday March 3rd from 11am to 3pm

Contact Local Assignor

IFAB 23/24 Law Changes

Law 3. The Players

  • Clarification relating to extra person(s) on the field of play when a goal is scored

Law 10. Determining the Outcome of a Match

  • ‘The term ‘kicks from the penalty mark’ to be replaced by ‘penalties (penalty shoot-out)’

  • Clarification that warnings and cautions for team officials, as well as for players, are not carried forward into penalties (penalty shoot-out)

Law 11. Offside

  • Clarification of guidelines to distinguish between ‘deliberate play’ and ‘deflection’, as outlined in circular 26 (July 2022)

Law 12. Fouls and Misconduct

  • Clarification that if the referee awards a penalty kick for an offence which involved a defending team player challenging an opponent for the ball (excluding holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc.), the same sanction should be issued to the player as for an attempt to play the ball, i.e. if the offence stops or interferes with a promising attack – no caution (no yellow card); DOGSO offence – caution (yellow card)

  • Clarification that the senior team coach present in the technical area cannot be sanctioned for an offence committed by an ‘unidentified’ player

Law 14. The Penalty Kick

  • Clarification that the goalkeeper must not behave in a manner that fails to show respect for the game and the opponent, i.e. by unfairly distracting the kicker

MYSA Local Law Updates

From State SRA/SYRA: U10 Slide Tackles: For those not at the meeting, the board elected to give U10's a "No Slide Tackles" rule a try. This would apply to any sanctioned friendly, match or tournament. A "Slide Tackle" is an attempt to win the ball from an opponent by going to ground, from any direction. Education of coaches, parents and players will be needed. Sliding to save a shot on goal or a ball from going out, is not a tackle on an opponent and is still allowed. The sanction for a slide tackle would be an Indirect Free Kick, as long as the slide did not result in a foul. A foul is defined in the LOTG as a challenge that is considered careless, reckless or using excessive force, and contact with an opponent is made.